It’s fair to say Liverpool’s form has been somewhat on the decline since they were confirmed as Premier League champions in record quick time. On Wednesday night they welcomed Chelsea to Anfield for their final home game of the season, hoping for an unbeaten end, to cap off a wonderful campaign for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
No matter what the result, the Liverpool players and staff were taking to the stage to banish the agonies of the last three decades and finally lift the Premier League title aloft.
Liverpool v Chelsea: The Champions Do It In Style
The match began with the Reds at close to their free-flowing best, it came as no surprise when they took the lead. Naby Keita firing an unstoppable shot past Kepa in the Chelsea goal to break the deadlock.
Shortly after Trent Alexander-Arnold doubled the home side’s advantage with a stunning free-kick before Gini Wijnaldum pounced on a loose ball in the visitor’s penalty area to put the champions 3-0 ahead.
It was Frank Lampard‘s Chelsea who had the final say of the first-half, however, keeping themselves in the hunt thanks to Oliver Giroud’s goal moments before the break.
The second half
Roberto Firmino reaffirmed the three-goal cushion when his header met a perfectly placed Alexander-Arnold cross, making the score 4-1, the Brazilians first league goal at Anfield this season.
The arrival of USA international Christian Pulisic brought about a much-improved performance for the Blue’s, he was influential in making a game of matters once more when he assisted Tammy Abraham before scoring himself to ensure Liverpool were kept honest as we approached a nervy finale.
As Chelsea went in search of the point that would guarantee them Champions League qualification, it was the Reds who broke from a corner and when Andy Robertson burst clear of the chasers, all that was left was for him to find Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at the back post to fire home to make it 5-3 in an eight-goal thriller – accompanied every step of the way by fireworks outside the ground.
The match came to a poignant conclusion referee Andre Marriner halted proceedings in the 96th minute, confirming three points which saw Liverpool move on to 96 in the Premier League. Liverpool 5-3 Chelsea: Highlights
A fitting way to sign off from a now unbeaten Anfield campaign, in someway a harp back to the early days of Klopp’s reign when a three-goal cushion never quite seemed enough. Chelsea head into the final day knowing they need a positive result in their match with Wolves to cement their place in the top four.
The post-match celebrations
All that was left for the current World, European and English champions was to take to the stage in the heart of the famous Kop which had been adorned in banners and raise the eagerly anticipated Premier League trophy to the night sky.
Liverpool Champions – Four talking points from the Premier League
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